Governor Kimani Wamatangi stated that the national government has directed Sh5.7 billion into the county’s account in order to develop Thika town in Kiambu County into a smart industrial metropolis.
According to Wamatangi, the funds will be utilised to enhance the water supply to Thika and its surrounding areas, including Juja, Ruiru, and Githunguri, via the Kariminu mega-dam.
The governor stated that a 20 million cubic metre increase in water supply will be made. The growth will proceed in step with rising population demand.
He stated that they would start by connecting water from the Kariminu II dam. The governor also stated that the project has already been funded. Later, he stated that the other infrastructure projects would soon be completed.
According to the governor, the anticipated cost of transforming the town into a city is Sh15 billion. The project is anticipated to take around three years to complete.
According to him, the project’s financing will be a collaborative effort between the national and county governments, as well as development partners. Private companies will also contribute to its funding.
He said an additional Sh200 million will be allocated to reticulation. He also stated that Sh4 billion would be used to fund companies and restructure the building sector. A further Sh5 billion will be spent to build an airfield and a light rail transit system. It will also be utilised to improve the road system and set up tuk-tuk and boda-boda bicycle facilities.
Several other highways in and surrounding town, as well as a portion of the Thika Garissa Highway, would also be doubled, according to the governor. He stated that after the area is awarded city status, other infrastructure improvements will be done. Roads, marketplaces, a sewerage system, modern stalls, parking, street lighting and walkways are among the developments.
In the projected metropolis, 10,000 market stands with free wifi will be constructed. He stated that there will be sections designated particularly for the youth. Wamatangi stated that if Thika becomes a city, it will receive a yearly budget of at least Sh1 billion for infrastructural projects. As a municipality, it currently receives Sh480 million per year from the World Bank.
The journey could take three years to complete, making the town Kenya’s fifth metropolis after Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa and Nakuru. He asserted that the city’s position will provide prospects for wealth generation.
